A petition has been launched to save a Cambridge post office from demolition.

Abbey councillors and residents are fighting to protect the Newmarket Road branch under threat from development plans.

Campaigners are urging people to add their name to an online petition to persuade the post office to keep it open.

They argue that the current post office is well-used by Abbey residents and provides important services for local people.

If it is not immediately replaced, Abbey residents will have to cross the river to Chesterton or go into the city centre for post office services.

The site on Newmarket Road earmarked for development (Image: CMP Architects)

Cambridge city councillor Richard Johnson, said: "I am dismayed the post office seems to believe that local need would continue to be met if it doesn’t replace the Newmarket Road branch, which is under threat from a redevelopment proposal on the site.

Read More

"Post offices are a valuable community facility which help provide a sense of place and losing the last one in Abbey will be a real blow to the community here. I urge the post office to reconsider their thinking on this matter."

Cambridge city councill Richard Johnson and campaigner Nicky Massey

The closure is part of plans to demolish and rebuild the existing Logic House block used by the Seminar College, and the house next to it on Newmarket Road.

Site owners Proctor Investments Ltd are currently seeking planning permission from Cambridge City Council.

A consultation with local residents is welcoming views until November 30.

People will have to use alternative Post Offices

Resident campaigner Nicky Massey said she wants the Post Office to recognise there is a need for a branch in the ward.

She added: "It is vital the Post Office know how important this branch is for local people, many of whom are not able to get online to pay bills or have access to email and may struggle to travel to another post office.

Read More

"It’s no use simply looking at a map and calculating the distance from one branch to another, which the Post Office does, as evidence that they can provide a good service for residents."

What the new flats and cafe development could look like (Image: CMP Architects)

The development plans include demolishing 149, Newmarket Road and existing garages and replacing them with 12 residential units and café space.

A Post Office spokeswoman said: "We do not own the building where Newmarket Road Post Office is located, therefore, the planned demolition is outside of our control.

"We have been informed that the shop, where the Post Office is based, needs to close on February 8 due to the redevelopment of the site. We are committed to providing a Post Office in this area of Cambridge.

The vacancy is currently advertised on the website runapostoffice.co.uk. Any retailer or small business owner interested in running the post office branch and incorporating it into their business should ring 0845 266 8790 or email NTquestions@postoffice.co.uk.

Newmarket Road Post Office is open six days a week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm and on Saturday, 9am to 12.30pm.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news in and around Cambridge by downloading our free app. It is available for the iPhone and iPad from Apple's App Store , or the Android version can be downloaded from Google Play.